SABBATH-SCHOOL

LESSON QUARTERLY

TOPICAL STUDIES

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FOR SENIOR CLASSES

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SECOND QUARTER, zga5

No. 44

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Mountain View, California, April, 1906

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Sabbath=School Lessons

A STUDY OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

FOR SENIOR CLASSES

SECOND QUARTER, 1906

General Note.

The main characteristics of this epistle, says Barnes, are

these: 1. It is full of love. The writer dwells on it; places it

in a variety of attitudes; enforces the duty of loving one

another by a great variety of considerations, and shows that

it is essential to the very nature of religion. 2. The epistle

abounds with statements on the evidences of piety, or the

characteristics of true religion. . . . A large part of the

epistle is occupied with this, and there is perhaps no portion

of the New Testament which one who is desirous of ascertain-

ing whether he himself is a true Christian could study to

more advantage. An anxious inquirer, a man who wishes

to know what true religion is, could be directed to no portion

of the New Testament where he would more readily find the

instruction that he needs, than to this portion of the writings

of the aged and experienced disciple whom Jesus loved. A

true Christian can find nowhere else a more clear statement

of the nature of his religion, and of the evidences of real

piety, than in this epistle.

Suggestion.

The portion of Scripture designated for each lesson

should be so thoroughly studied that every question can be

answered in

the exact. words of the text.

The questions are

framed with the purpose to make this possible. It is hoped

that the notes will be found suggestive and helpful in the

further development of the thought of the lesson. Teachers

should encourge a careful study of the

ideas

presented,

and, above all, should seek to make such a practical

application of the subject-matter as will be a help in per-

sonal experience.

"There shall

be delay no longer"—our conadenee.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

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LESSON 1.—Walking in the Light. 1 John 1: 1-10.

APRIL 7, 1906.

Questions.

I. Introduction. Verses 1-4.

In what ways had the beloved disciple learned of the

Word of Life?

What does John say of this life?

What kind of life was it ?

Where was this life?

To whom was it manifested?

What does the apostle declare?

For what purpose?

With whom was his fellowship ?

Why does he write these things?

II.

Fellowship with God and with One Another. Verses

5-7.

10.

What is the message John declared?.

11.

From whom did he receive it?

12.

What is said of those who profess fellowship with

God, but walk in darkness?

13.

What is the experience of those who walk in the

light?

III.

Consciousness and Confession of Sin. Verses

8-10.

14.

What is the result of claiming to have no sin?

15.

Repeat the promise to those who confess their sins

16.

What is said of those who say that they have not

sinned?

Notes.

1. Verses 1-4.—Christ is the Word (John 1:1) and the

Life (John 14:6), and hence He is the Word of Life. The

life was manifested in flesh (Rom. 8:3), and can be

The offerings for this quarter go to the most

needy

fields.

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SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

known to us only as an experience (John 1: 12). When our

eyes have been anointed (Rev. 3:18; 2 Kings 6:17), and our

ears wakened (Isa. 50:4) so that we can hear aright (Mark

4: 24), then we must testify (Acts 4: 20), and our words

will have effect (Acts 4:33). Fellowship with Christ is the

experience of every Christian (1 Cor. 1: 9), and this extends

to His sufferings (Phil. 3:10; 1:29), as well as to the joy

(1 Peter 4: 13).

Verses 5-7.—God is light and dwells in light (1 Tini.

6:16), and as He was in Christ (2 Cor. 5:19), so Christ in

His life (John 1: 4) was the true light (verse 9), and His

followers become light (Eph. 5:8; Matt. 5: 14) if they walk

in the light (John 8: 12), and are to shine (Isa. 60: 1) ; but

this is done by the life (Matt. 5: 16). "What is light?—It

is piety, goodness, truth, mercy, love; it is the revealing of

the truth in the character and life." We can not have fellow-

ship with light and darkness at the same time (2 Cor. 6: 14).

Verses 8, 10.—God has said that we are sinners (Rom.

3:23), and so we make Him a liar by saying that we are

not sinners. But while there is no good thing in us (Rom.

7: 18), and we are poor and miserable (Rev. 3: 17), we can

boast of the Lord (Ps. 34:2; 1 Cor. 1:31), in whom there

is no unrighteousness (Ps. 92: 15), and who is made right-

eousness unto us (1 Cor. 1: 30). "He was condemned for

our sins in which He had no share, that we might be justified

by His righteousness in which we had no share." The only

way by which we may be "made free from sin" is to confess

that we are full of sin.

"Are you in Christ?--Not if you do not acknowledge your-

selves erring, helpless, condemned sinners; not if you are

exalting and glorifying self. If there is any good in you, it

is wholly attributable to the mercy of a compassionate

Saviour." "There can be no self-exaltation, no boastful

claim to freedom from sin, on the part of those who walk in

the shadow of Calvary's cross." "And the claim to be without

sin is, in itself, evidence that he who makes this claim is

far from holy."

livarNso.4:—There are some notable examples of con-

fession on record for our instruction. Daniel (Dan. 9: 3-20),

Ezra (Ezra 9: 5; 10: 1), and David (Ps. 51: 1-4) are familiar

cases. "True confession is always of a specific character, and

acknowledges particular sin." "Confession will not be

acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reforma-

expend sixty per cent of our efforts upon four per cent of

our field.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

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tion." "Whatever the character of your sin, confess it. If

it is against God only, confess only to Him. If you have

wronged or offended others, confess also to them, and the

blessing of the Lord will rest upon you." "Sins that are not

confessed will never be forgiven."

"Our past sins will sometimes come to mind and cast a

shadow over our faith, so that we can see nothing but merited

punishment in store for us. But at such times, while we

feel sorry for sins,, we should look to Jesus, and believe that

He has pardoned our transgressions." "If you believe the

promise—believe that you are forgiven and cleansed—God

supplies the fact: you are made whole, just as Christ gave the

paralytic power to walk when the man believed that he was

healed. It

so if you believe it." But "it is not faith that

claims the favor of heaven without complying with the con-

ditions upon which mercy is to be granted. It is presump-

tion." "We are to believe that God accepts us when we

fulfil His conditions, simply because He has said that He

would."

LESSON H.—-Love and Obedience. .1 John 2:1-8.

APRIL 14, 1906.

Questions.

I. "We Have an Advocate." Verses 1, 2.

How are the readers of the epistle addressed ?

For what purpose are these things written ?

What provision has been made for any one who

sins ?

Who is this advocate and what is His character ?

What relation does He sustain to sin ?

For whom ?

II. Keeping His Commandments. Verses 3-8.

7. By

what evidence may we be assured that we really

know God?

"There shall be delay no longer"—our

confidence

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SABBATH-SCHOOL

LESSON QUARTERLY.

- 8. What is said against those professing to know Him,

in whom this proof is lacking?

In whom is the love of God perfected ?

10.

Of what is this the proof ?

11.

What is the true standard of the daily walk of the

heli ever ?

12.

Is this a new requirement of the Christian ?

13.

How long since this commandment has been made

known?

14.

Although old in point of time, what is it called ?

15.

In whom is it true ?

16.

For what reason ?

Notes.

1. Verses=1•87—Christ came to save, not in sin, but

from,

sin (Matt. 1: 21). He redeems from

all

iniquity (Titus 2: 14),

and delivers from the power of evil (Col. J.: 13); but God

remembers our witness

•

(Ps. 103:13, 14), and has adapted

His plan of salvation to the weakest one. "The Christian will

feel the promptings of sin, but he will maintain a constant

warfare against it. Here is where Christ's help is needed.

Human weakness becomes united to divine strength."

"There are those who have known the pardoning love of

Christ, and who really desire to be children of God, yet

they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty,

and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been

renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, do not

draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and

weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and

mistakes; but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are

overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken

and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John,

'These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any

man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ

the righteous.' And do not forget the words of Christ, 'The

Father Himself loveth you.' He desires to restore you to

Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you.

Nine-tenths of the women of India never heard of a Saviour.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

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And if you but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a

good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus

Christ. Pray more fervently, believe more fully. As we

come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of

our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of

our countenance."

"Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the

true sign of discipleship," but "it is faith, and faith only, that

makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us

to render obedience."

2. Vann-n

1.G. —"Though John in his epistles dwells so

fully upon love, yet he does not hesitate to reveal the true

character of that class who claims to be sanctified while

living in transgression of the law of God." "God is love,

and His law is love," and so "the love of God has been per-

fected," or fully wrought out, in the one whose life is in

harmony with His word. We are called to holiness (1 Thess.

4: 7), which is agreement with God, and "the command, 'Be

ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven

is perfect,' would never have been given if every provision

had not been made whereby we could obey the requirement,—

be as perfect in our sphere as God is in His." "It is not

Christ walking upon the sea, but His ordinary walk, that we

are called to imitate."—Luther. Love to God (Deut. 6: 5)

and love to man (Lev. 19: 18) was not a "new commandment"

in fact, but to many it was "a new commandment" in ex-

perience.

LESSON 11L—True Love. 1 John 2:9-17.

APRIL 21, 1906.

Questions.

I. Love of the Brethren. Verses 9-11.

What is said of him who claims to be in the light,

but hates his brother ?

What is the condition of him who loves his brother?

What, then, is sufficient proof that a man is in

darkness?

In what does such an one walk?

The needs of the cause of God are world-wide.

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SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLV.

5. What does he not know?

6. Why can he not see the way ?

II. Threefold Statement of Reasons for Writing. Verses

12-14.

7. Why does John write to children ?

8. Why to fathers ?

9. Why to young men ?

10. What second reason is given for writing to children ?

11. What reason is repeated?

12. What second reason is given for writing to young

men ?

13. What is the effect of the Word abiding in the heart?

III. A Solemn Warning. Verses 15-17.

14. What are Christians not to love ?

15. What is said of one who loves the world ?

16. What are the characteristics of the things that are

in the world?

17. From what source do these come ?

18. What is said of the world ?

19. Who will abide forever ?

Notes.

1. -Verees.8d-1.—Love for the brethren is an evidence of

conversion (1 John 3: 14), and no one can be in the light

(J-)hn 8: 12) and not have this love. Christ identifies Him-

self with His followers, and counts every service rendered

to them as if done to Him (Matt. 25:40).- There are

only two classes. All are either "in the light" or "in dark-

ness." Love is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22), by which

it is shed abroad in the heart (Rom. 5: 5). When man sinned,

"selfishness took the place of love," but "in the heart re-

newed by divine grace, love is the principle of action." God

loved us when we were sinners (Rom. 5: 8), and Christians

"This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world

for

witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

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must not limit this love to their brethren (Matt. 5: 44-46).

"The Spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that

pervades heaven, and is the very essence of its bliss. This

is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work

that they will do."

Christians are to love one another (John 15:12,.17), which

is the fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:10). "We should love

and respect one another, notwithstanding the faults and im-

perfections that we can not help seeing." "We are to stand

under the shadow of the cross of Calvary, humbling our

hearts, confessing our sins, and entreating the Lord to par-

don our defects

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character, and strengthen our love for the

brethren."

It is dangerous to trifle with light, for' light rejected will

bring darkness (John 12: 35), and this is the greatest dark-

ness of all (Matt. 6:23). When minds are blinded by Satan

(2 Cor. 4: 4), the people are in the deepest darkness (Isa.

60:2), and do not perceive the snares of the devil.

2. Ners4selfF1

7.—Our thoughts are to be above (Col. 3:2)

where our citizenship is (Phil. 3: 20, R. V.), and our love can

not be divided (Matt. 6: 24). Enmity between Christians

and the world is of long standing (Gen. 3:15), and is really

the hope of the race. "It is the grace that Christ implants

in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan." We

may be friends of God (John 15:15) as Abraham was (Isa.

41:8), or friend of the world; but we can not be both at the

same time (James 4: 4). "Conformity to the world will

never be the means of converting the world to Christ." The

world passes away, but character endures. The will of God

is His law (Rom. 2: 18), which is everlasting righteousness

(Ps. 119: 172, 144; Isa. 51: 6-8).

LESSON IV.—Antichrists. 1 John 2:18-,25.

APRIL 28, 1906.

Questions.

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•

I. A Latter-Day Lesson. Verses 18, 19. .

To what time does this lesson especially apply?

Whose coming is foretold ?

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He.will send

forth laborers into His harvest."

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SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

3. How fully has this prediction been fulfilled?

4. What may we know by this?

5. With whom have these antichrists been nominally

connected?

6. What proof is there that the fellowship was not

true ?

7. Why do they withdraw ?

II. Knowing the Truth. Verses 20, 21.

8. What is given to the believers?

9. With what result?

10. What was the real reason for writing the epistle ?

III. Denying Christ. Verses 22, 23.

11. What is he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?

12. Who is antichrist?

13. How close is the relationship between the Father

and the Son?

IV. Precious Promises. Verses 24, 25.

14. What is to abide in believers?

15. What experience will then be theirs?

16. What is promised to them ?

Notes.

efses-

4-8-

k0. Apostasy is a characteristic of the last

time (or hour, R. V.). The Saviour predicted this (Matt.

24: 11, 12), and the church had been warned of it more than

once (1 Tim. 4: 1; 2 Tim. 3: 1-5). The incarnation is the

testing truth (2 John 7), and this really means the union

of Divinity and humanity in the believer (Col. 1:27). This

experience involves the death of self (Rom. 6: 6), and giving

up all things temporal (Luke 14: 33), and many fail to endure

the test. The power of God in the church is the best agency

for relieving it of unworthy members (Isa. 52: 1), as is shown

in the early church (Acts 5:1-14). Jesus was anointed by

the Father (Acts 10:38), and so are His-followers (2 Cor.

Prayerfully consider the unentered fields.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

1:21), and they are thus enabled to comprehend the things of

God (Eph. 1: 17-19), which are spiritually discerned (1 Cor.

2: 12-14).

IT-epaes.z22r88.—Christ being the image of God (2 Cor.

4:4), one with the Father (John 10:30), through whom

alone the Father could be known (Matt. 11: 27), to see one

was to see the other (John 12: 45), and the denial of one

includes the rejection of the other (compare 2 Peter 2:1;

Jude 4).

Versca-

—

a5 Love to one another was the command

from the beginning (2 John 5) and this involves the new

birth (1 John 4: 7), which results in the indwelling presence

of both 'the. Father and the Son (John 14: 23). Christ is the

Life (John 11:25), and is from eternity (Micah 5:2, margin),

and so is called the eternal life (1 John I: 2), which was

promised before man fell (Titus 1: 2), and announced to

him before he was driven from the Garden of Eden (Gen.

3: 15). To believe on Christ is to receive Him (John 1: 12)

who is life (Col. 3: 4), and so believers have everlasting life

(John 3: 36). When God gave Christ to the world, He poured

out all the treasure of heaven in one gift (Col. 2: 9), and it

will be our constant stay to all eternity to learn what we

have in Christ.

LESSON V.—Abiding in Christ. 1 John 2:

36 to 3:3.

MAY 5, 1906.

Questions.

The Teaching of the Spirit. Verses 26, 27.

Concerning whom has this instruction been given

What abides in the believers ?

Of what have they no need ?

How are they taught?

What will this teaching enable them to do ?

IL Ready for His Appearing. Verses 28 to 3: 3.

What are the "little children" exhorted to do ?

How will those who abide in Him be able to stand

before Jesus when He comes ?

Nirie-tenths of the women of India never heard of a Saviour.



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

What is the character of Christ ?

What is true of every one who does rigitteousness?

10.

To what is especial attention now directed?

11.

How is this love manifested?

12.

How does the world regard those who are accepted

sons of God?

13.

Why is this?

14.

When is this relationship with God entered upon?

15.

What doth not yet appear ?

16.

What change will take place "when He shall ap-

pear"?

17.

What effect does this hope have upon the one who

cherishes it?

18.

What is the true standard of piety ?

Notes.

-orests

-34.3J. Paul warned the church of future trouble

(Acts 20:29), and this apostasy began in his day (2 Thess.

2: 7). Jude writes very strongly concerning these deceivers

(Jude 4, 10-13) who abounded before John's death (2 John 7).

The Holy Spirit, which was promised by Christ (John 16:7)

and had been poured upon them (Acts 2: 33), would teach

them the truth (John 16: 13), and would protect them from

deceivers (Acts 10:19, 20). Jesus says, "Abide in Me." These

words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. See the

lesson in John 15: 4-7. Such a life brings conformity to the

divine character (2 Cor. 3:18), and confidence at His coming

(Isa. 25: 9).

.11efets5.4.8.—It would require the language of the In-

finite to express the love that has made it possible for us

to be called the sons of God. Faith makes us children of

God (Gal. 3: 26), and this is a present experience. The Holy

Spirit belongs to the sons of God (Gal. 4: 6), who are also

heirs (Rom. 8: 17) of the inheritance. In fact, "all things"

belong to them (1 Cor. 3: 21). The world knew not Christ

(John 1: 10) nor the Father (John 17: 25), and for this

reason (John 16: 3) will persecute true Christians (John

Prayerfully consider the unentered fields.

SAnATI-I-sCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

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15: 18-20). This present life is the time for the perfect char-

acter. "If you give yourself to Him and accept Him as your

Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake

you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in

the place of your character, and you are accepted before God

just as if you had not sinned." The character is fixed at the

coming of Christ (Rev. 22:11), who "shall fashion anew the

body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body

of His glory" (Phil. 3: 21, R. V.), and thus shall we "appear

with Him in glory" (Col. 3: 4). So shall we be satisfied

(Ps. 17:15). Holiness is required of those who shall see

God (Heb. 12: 14), and this privilege is promised to the

pure in heart (Matt. 5:8); but "who can say, I have made my

heart clean, I am pure from sin?" (Prov. 20:9). It is by

faith (Acts 15: 9) which works (Gal. 5: 6) in obedience

(1 Peter 1: 22) that we are purified. "He who hath this hope

in him learns from the Scriptures that he must be a worker

together with God."

LESSON VI.—Sin and Righteousness.

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John 3:.4-15.

MAY 12, 1906.

Questions.

I. Transgression

of the Law. Verses

4, 5. ,

What is the sinner's attitude toward the law ?

What is the definition of sin ?

For what purpose was Christ manifested ?

From what is He free?

II. Freedom from Sin: Verses 6-10.

How is freedom from sin insured?

What is the sinner's relation to Christ ?

What is the character of the one who "doeth right-

eousness"?

What is the character of the one who "committeth

sin" ?

The offerings for this quarter go to the most needy fields.



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

How long has Satan continued in sin?

10.

Why was the Son of God manifested ?

11.

What course of life results from the new birth ?

12.

What reason is given for this statement ?

13.

How are the "children of God" distinguished from

the "children of the devil"?

III. Love One Another. Verses 11-15.

14.

What message has been heard from the beginning?

15.

Whose case is cited as an illustration ?

16.

Why did Cain kill his brother ?

17.

What should cause no astonishment to the brethren ?

18.

What is an evidence of the change from death to

life ?

19.

Of whom is it said that he "abideth in death" ?

20.

How broad is the meaning of the commandment,

"Thou shalt not kill" ?

21.

What character does not possess eternal life ?

Notes.

1. ;Lerses=4-6.—Unrighteousness

and sin are the same

(1 John 5: 17), and both are the result of being out of har-

mony with God's law, which is righteousness (Ps. 119: 172).

"The character of God is righteousness and truth; such is the

nature of His law." The law detects sin (Rom. 3: 20), and

drives to Christ for justification (Gal. 3: 24). "A view of our

sinfulness drives us to Him who can pardon." Christ came to

take away sin and abolish death (2 Tim. 1: 10), but not the

law. "Had it been possible for the law to be changed or set

aside, then Christ need not have died to save man from the

penalty of sin." "A wrong conception of the character, the

perpetuity, and obligation of the divine law, has led to errors

in the relation to conversion and sanctification, and has re-

sulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church." "It

is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position

that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness

The needs of the cause of God are world-wide.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

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among His professed people." Christ bore the sins of the

world (-John 1: 29, margin) in the sinner's place (Gal. 3: 13);

and, although free from sin (1 Peter 2: 22), and "hating sin

with a perfect hatred, He yet gathered to His soul the sins of

the whole world." "Under the mighty impulse of His love, He

took our place in the universe, and invited the Ruler of all

things to treat Him as a representative of the human family."

"Though the guilt of sin was not His, His spirit was torn and

bruised by the transgressions of men." It was at such cost

as this that "He was manifested to take away our sins."

That vital union with Christ which imparts His nature (2

Peter 1:4) enables us to realize the fulfilment of "God's

mighty emancipation proclamation" (Rom. 6: 14).

Yers'es--7

:9—Righteousness must be within before it

can be manifested in outward works. "Genuine Christlikeness

can not be manifested in the character until Christ is received

by faith and formed within the hope of glory." "The tree

that bears good fruit is a good tree and has a living root;

not that the fruit

makes

the tree and its fruit to be good,

but it

shows

that they are

so."—Fausset.

God condemned sin

in the flesh once (Rom. 8:3), and the "union of Divinity with

humanity in Christ was to reveal to us God's purpose to bring

men into the closest connection with Himself." "He who

lays hold upon the righteousness of Christ may become a

perfect man in Christ Jesus." "The character is revealed,

not by occasional good deeds and _occasional misdeeds, but

by the tendency of the habitual words and acts." Christ

prayed in behalf of all His disciples that the Father might

"keep them from the evil one" (R. V.) and that prayer avails

now.

izer-ses-

Y246.—The cause assigned for the murder of

Abel is really at the root of all the injuries inflicted upon the

righteous by evil men, and was illustrated in the death of

Christ. "It was not so much because He appeared without

worldly wealth, pomp, or grandeur, .that the Jews were led

to reject Him. They saw that He possessed power which

could more than compensate for the lack, of these outward

advantages. But the purity and holiness of Christ called

forth against Him the hatred of the ungodly. His life

of self-denial and sinless devotion was a perpetual reproof

to a proud, sensual people. It was this that evoked enmity

against the Son of God." "So in all ages the wicked have

hated those who were better than themselves." "It is the

"The advent message to the world in this generation"—our

watchword.



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

spirit that through all the ages has set up the stake and

kindled the burning pile for the diciples of Christ." The

world hated Christ (John 15: 24). and so would naturally

hate His followers. "Love is of God. The unconsecrated

heart can not originate or produce it; it is found only in the

heart where Jesus reigns."

Christ explained the spiritual nature of the sixth command-

ment (Matt. 5: 21, 22), showing that it is "exceeding broad."

If it were the duty of the civil power to enforce the law of

God, there would not be a sufficient number of innocent per-

sons to inflict the penalty upon those who are really guilty of

murder. The spirit that leads to murder is not in harmony

with the Spirit of Christ (Luke 9: 56), and so shuts its pos-

sessor out of heaven (Rom. 8: 9).

LESSON VII.—Love for One Another. 1 John 8:16-24.

MAY 19, 1906.

Questions.

I. The Spirit of Sacrifice. Verses 16-18.

How has the love of God for us been shown ?

How far should the spirit of self-sacrifice be car-

ried?

in what way is a lack of this love shown?

Is a profession of love sufficient?

To what kind of love are the believers exhorted ?

II. Confidence toward God. Verses 19-24.

What will be known by those who cherish true love ?

When the heart condemns, can it be expected that

God will commend ?

What is the experience when the heart does not

condemn?

What is given to those who have this experience ?

The Son of God beggared Himself to enrich u's:

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.



10.

For what reason ?

11.

What is His commandment?

12.

What union

is entered into by commandment

keepers?

13.

How may we know that He abides in

us ?

Notes.

1. Yetgasz.U-1-8..—The Revised Version renders the first

clause of verse 16 thus: "Hereby know we love, because,"

etc. The cross of Calvary is the grandest display of love

which the universe has ever seen (John 3:16). "Jesus died

because God loved the world. The channel had to be made

whereby the love of God should be recognized by man and

flow into the sinner's heart in perfect harmony with truth

and justice." "The resources of infinite love have been ex-

hausted in devising and executing the plan of redemption for

man." It is love which draws man to God (Jer. 31: 3) and

leads him to repentance (Rom. 2: 4), and "the Lord has no

reserve power with which to influence men. He can give no

greater manifestation of His love than that which He has

given." "Oh, what a God have we! What a benefactor! 'What

claims has He upon our love! Having collected all the riches of

the universe and laid open all the resources of infinite power,

He gave all the heavenly treasure into the hancTh of Christ,

and said: 'All these are for man. Use them to convince him

that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven.

His greatest happiness consists in loving me, and giving his

heart to Me, who hath loved him with an infinite love.' " "He

who has shared• in the grace of Christ is thereby placed under

obligation to others (Rom. 1:14), and this grace is more

sacred to him than life" (Acts 20:24). "This plan of salvation

was laid by a sacrifice, a gift" (2 Cor. 8: 9), and the same

spirit should characterize all Christians (Matt. 10: 8) as was

shown by the Macedonians (2 Cor. 8: 3-5). "Thus while our

gifts can not recommend us to God, or earn His favor, they are

an evidence that we have received the grace of Christ. They

are a test of the sincerity of our profession of love." "He

tests the love of His professed followers by committing to

their tender mercies the afflicted and bereaved ones, the poor,

and the orphan." Deeds should accompany words in order to

make them effective (James 2: 15, 16).

Lift

up your eyes

and look on the field; for they are white

already to harvest."



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

i*Eupsas-Iti-.--

A clear

conscience is a good thing (2



or;

1.12)-, but God is the final judge (-114142.-2-:-1

6}, and the life

record determines the result (.11ex...-24:42.). "Believers, as

such, ask only what is in accordance Tith God's will; or if

they ask what God wills not, they bow their will to God's will,

so God grants them either their request or something better

than

it."—Fausset

,,,,

God can bestow special blessings upon only those who will

use them to His glory, which is always for their good (Dent.

6:24). The obedience of faith is evidence of such a purpose.

As Christ pleased not Himself (Rom. 15: 3) but the Father

(John 8:29), so we are to do; but this is not natural to man

(Rom. 8: 8), and is accomplished only through faith (Heb.

11: 6). Belief in Christ insures salvation (Acts 16: 31), and

is the work of God (John 6: 29). Love to man is the out-

growth of this experience. Christ dwells in genuine Chris-

tians (2 Cor. 13:5), as in Paul (Gal. 2:20), and works in us

through His power (Phil. 2: 13) to obedience (Rom. 5: 19).

LESSON VIII.—Test of False Teachers. 1 John 1

:1-6.

MAY 26, 1906.

questions.

I. Discerning of Spirits. Verses 1-3.

How are believers addressed ?

Is every spirit to be believed?

What point should be settled by investigation ?

What fact makes this necessary ?

How may the Spirit of God be known?

What spirit is not of God ?

What is such a spirit ?

What prediction had been made concerning it ?

Had the prediction been fulfilled ?

II. Overcoming. Verses 4-6.

10. Who had "overcome them" ?

The Son of God beggared Himself to enrich us.



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.



11.

What had enabled them to do this ?

12.

Of what are "they"?

13.

Of what do they speak ?

14.

What heareth them?

15.

Of what are the believers ?

16.

Who heareth them?

17.

Who heareth them not?

18.

By these things what is known ?

Notes.

"The connection of the visible with the invisible world,

the ministration of angels of God, and the agency of evil

spirits, are plainly revealed in the Scriptures, and inseparably

interwoven with human history." "Evil spirits, in the be-

ginning created sinless, were equal in nature, power, and

glory with the holy beings that are now God's messengers.

But fallen through sin, they are leagued together for the dis-

honor of God and the destruction of men." These evil spirits

work "in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2: 2), who yield

themselves as servants (Rom. 6: 16), in marvelous ways

(Matt. 24:24), and more and more as time advances

(2 Tim. 3: 13), until fire is brought down from heaven (Rev.

13:13), "and as the crowning act in the great drama of decep-

tion Satan himself will personate Christ." "The people of God

are directed to the Scriptures as the safeguard against the

influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of

darkness" (Isa. 8:20). Antichrist is to perform \his marvel-

ous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit re-

semble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish be-

tween them except by the holy Scriptures." Error is not to be

countenanced, although preached by an angel (Gal. 1: 8);



neither, because we despise the messenger (Mark



3), are

we to reject truth (John 10:37, 38). Christ was born of the

Spirit (Luke 1: 35), and dwelt in the flesh (John 1: 14), and

so He must dwell in our flesh (Eph. 3: 17), living in us (Gal.

2: 20), to give us victory (2 Cor. 2: 14) in the,conflict with un-

seen powers (Eph. 6:12). Any one who presents any other

hope of salvation is a deceiver and an antichrist (2 John 7).

"Jesus fought all our battles during His life upon earth"

(John 16: 33), and "we each have a battle to fight

with a fal-

The needs of the cause of God are world-wide.



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

len foe."

"The hand of the Infinite is stretched over the

battlements of heaven to grasp your hand in its embrace.

The mighty Helper is nigh to help the most erring, the most

sinful and despairing." •God and the world, the followers of

Christ and the servants of Satan, "the Spirit of truth and the

spirit of error," are in marked contrast. All are found in one

of two classes (Matt. 12:30), and the same person can not be

found in both (Matt. 6:24).



IX.—The Source of Love. 1 John

4.: 7-1h.

JUNE 2, 1906.

Questions.

I. God's Love for Us. Verses 7-10.

What are the "beloved" urged to do

Who is the source of love ?

What is the experience of every one that loveth ?

Of what is the lack of love an evidence?

What proves this to be true ?

How has the love of God been manifested toward us?

For what purpose ?

On whose part was this love shown ?

In what way ?

II. God's Love in Us. Verses 11-14.

10. On what basis is brotherly love urged ?

1. What has no man seen ?

12.

What shows His indwelling presence and the per-

fecting of His love?

13.

How may we know 'that we are in union with Him ?

14.

What testimony may be borne by those who have

His Spirit ?

"One

dollar now is of more value to the work than ten dollars

wild be at some future period."

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.



Notes.

irergerItti.—"Whenever the life of God is in the hearts

men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing." "Of

God he hath been begotten and doth know God" is Dr.

Young's rendering of the last clause of verse 7. The new birth

is a past experience, but knowing God is always a present ex-

perience. It is not only true that God loves and is a source of

love, but "God is love," and this is the essence of the whole

gospel. There can be no discord in the home, the church, or

the community when the love of God abides in all hearts.

God's love to us is not simply an abstract thing, but it was

shown in a most practical way (John 3: 16). Man lost his

life by sin (Gen. 2: 17), and Christ came to restore life (John

10: 10), which is wholly the gift of God (Rom. 6: 23). "Had

not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have en-

tered into an alliance against heaven, and, instead of cherish-

ing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would

have been united in opposition to God." "The reconciliation

of mercy and justice did not involve any compromise with sin,

or ignore any claim of justice; but, by giving to each divine

attribute its ordained place, mercy could be exercised in the

punishment of sinful, impenitent man without destroying its

clemency or forfeiting its compassionate character, and justice

could be exercised in forgiving the repenting transgressor

without violating its integrity." "Said the angel, Think ye

that the Father yielded up His beloved Son without a strug-

gle? No, no. It was even a struggle with the God of heaven,

whether to let guilty man perish, or to give His beloved Son

to die for him."

V.ersea

1.244.—Men can not see God with the natural eye,

but they ought to see His character wrought out in Chris-

tians. "Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the

voice that speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the love

of God through His works. But if you are a true representa-

tive of Jesus, it may be that through you they will be led to

understand something of His goodness, and be won to love

and serve Him." The Spirit is given to those who ask for

it (Luke 11: 13), but the asking must be in the name of Jesus

(John 16:23, 24). But to pray in the name of Jesus is some-

thing more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning

and ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of

Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace,

and work His works." The purpose of Christ in coming to this

"There shall be delay no longer"—our confidence.



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

world was to save (Luke 19: 10), not to judge (John 12: 47) ;

but rejection of His work results in condemnation (John 3:

18). The price paid was sufficient to redeem the world, but

no man is saved contrary to his own will and choice. •We

can do nothing without Him (John 15: 5), and He

will

nothing without us. Christ sends His followers on the same

errand which brought Him to the earth (John 20: 21), and has

promised His presence to them (Matt. 28:20). "As Jesus has

revealed to us the true character of the Father, so we are to

reveal Christ to a world that does not know His tender, pity-

ing love."

LESSON X.—The Influence of Love. 1 John I

15-21.

JUNE 9, 1906.

Questions.

I. In Union with God. Verses 1547.

What relationship exists between God and him who

confesses that Jesus is His Son?

What have we known and believed?

What is God?

What follows as a result of this truth ?

What is the effect of this union?

What confidence does perfect love give?

What is the reason for this?

IL Casting Out Fear. Verse 18.

What is wholly excluded by love?

What state of mind does fear produce?

10.

Of what does the presence of fear give evidence?

III.

Proof of Discipleship. Verse 19-21,

11.

Why do believers love God?

12.

What charge is made against him who professes

love to God but hates his brother?

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send

forth laborers

into

His harvest."

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.



13.

Why is such an one inconsistent ?

14.

What commandment has been given?

Notes.

Versos 16, 16. When Peter confessed that Jesus was

the Son of God, the reply of Christ indicated that this truth

can not be discerned by the natural man (Matt. 16:16, 17),

and it is only when Christ, in whom God dwelt (2 Cor. 5:19),

is revealed in us (Gal. 1: 16) that we can confess this truth in

the sense of the Scripture. Thus the Spirit which is to testify

of Him (John 15:26)' witnesses through us to His Divinity

(1 Cor. 12: 3). The love of God can be known only by experi-

ence, as it is poured out in• the heart (Rom. 5:5). "Human

language can never explain how the love of Christ can take

possession of the soul, and lead captive every power of the

mind; but you will know it by personal experience." Since

God is love, and all love is of God, no one can be in love and

separated from God at the same time.

Vorno—+^rt—The result aimed at in all God's love to us

is that we may be restored to His favor and dwell in His

presence (1 Tim. 2: 4), but this involves a testing of the char-

acter (2 Cor. 5: 10), and the Law demands perfection (James

2: 10). No righteousness of our own (Phil. 3: 9) will give

confidence in that day. Those who have "had a sense of the

righteousness of Jehovah, and felt the terror of appearing in

their guilt and uncleanness before the Searcher of hearts,"

will desire a robe of righteousnes (Isa. 61: 10) as a wedding

garment (Matt. 22: 11, 12), clean and white (Rev. 19: 8).

"None are so sinful that they can not find strength, purity,

and righteousness in Jesus who died for them. He is wait-

ing to strip them of their garments, stained and polluted with

sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness."

Our likeness to Christ must begin here. "We must perfect

a Christlike character, or we shall never enter into the king-

dom of heaven." "The saints in heaven will first have been

saints on earth."

Verse--1.8..—Although there is a certain fear (1 Peter 1:17)

in which we are to live (Phil. 2: 12), yet "not in distrust of

the grace of God,-but in fear that self shall gain the suprem-

acy. We are not to fear that there will be any failure on the

part of God, but fear lest because of our own sinful inclina-

tions any of us should seem to come short of the promise."

"One dollar now is of more value to the work than ten dollars

will be at some future period."



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

"Here is where we need to watch, to strive, to pray, that

nothing may entice us to

choose

another master, for we are

always free to do this."

God has given us every reason for assurance (Heb. 6:

17, 18) that He will carry us through (Phil. 1:6) and enable

us to pass the test (Jude 24), if we believe in Him (2 Chron.

20: 20).

4. 14eree'el-9,241--"We love, because He first loved us," is

the revised version of verse 19. We should never have known

the meaning of love, and never have exercised it toward any

one, if God had not first loved us. If we love God, whom we

have not seen (1 Peter 1: 8), then we shall surely love all the

objects of His love about us whom we can see. This love is

a proof to the world of our discipleship (John 13: 35). Love

to God and love to man are inseparably connected (Matt. 22:

37-40), and both will be manifested by the follower of Christ.

"There has been too much of a spirit to ask, 'Am I my

brother's keeper?' Said the angel, 'Yea,

thou art

thy brother's

keeper. Thou shouldst have a watchful care for thy brother

be interested for his welfare, and cherish a kind, loving

spirit toward him.'" While we can not fellowship those who

are the bitter enemies of Christ, we should cultivate that

spirit of meekness and love that characterized our Master,—

a love that thinketh no evil, and is not easily provoked."

LESSON XL—The New Birth. 1 John 5:1-0.,

JUNE 16, 1906.

Questions.

I. Love and Obedience. Verses 1-3.

Who is born of God ?

What is said of every one who loves the Father ?

How is it known when one loves the children of

God?

What is the love of God ?

What is said of the nature of the commandments?

II. Faith. Verses 4-6.

The Son of God beggared Himself to enrich us.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.



Who overcomes the world ?

What is the victory ?

S. On what point must faith be exercised in order to

overcome the world?

How did Christ come?

10.

What point is made emphatic by its repetition ?

11.

What bears witness ?

12.

For what reason ?

Notes.

1. Verses--1-3:—The new birth is the condition of entrance

to the kingdom (John 3: 3), and it is a spiritual birth

(verse 5). Man "must have a new life from above. This

change is the new birth." To thus become children of God is

granted to believers (John 1: 12, 13) in Christ (Gal. 3: 26).

Such are children of promise (Gal. 4:28), being born of •the

word (James 1:18). Love to the brethren is a proof of conver-

sion (1 John 3:14), and obedience to God is proof of love to the

brethren, hence obedience is proof of conversion. There can

be no true love apart from obedience (John 14: 23), which is

the highest form of worship. "If our hearts are renewed in

the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in the soul,

will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the

principle of love is implanted in the heart, when man is re-

newed after the image of Him that created him, the new

covenant promise is fulfilled, 'I will put My laws into their

hearts, and in their minds will I write them' (Heb. 10: 16).

And if the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the

life?" "If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in

us, our purposes, our actions will be in harmony with the will

of God, as expressed in the preceipts of His holy law. God is

love and His law, "being an expression of the mind and will of

God," "the transcript of the character of God," is founded

upon love (Matt. 22: 40) and fulfilled in love (Rom. 13: 10).

His commandments "are not burdensome" (Matt. 11: 30) to

those who have been set free from the bondage of sin (John 8:

34-36), but rather a delight' (Ps. 1: 2). "The truth a bond-

age?—Yes, in one sense; it binds the

willing

souls in captiv-

ity to Jesus Christ."

"The advent message to the world in this generation"—our

watchword.



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.



5.—The greatest victories of the world have

been gained through faith (Heb. 11: 32-34) in Christ (1 Cor.

15:57), who was an overcomer (John 16:33), and "has given

us the advantage of His victory, that we may be able to resist

the temptations of the evil one." "We gain the victory

through faith in Christ's power to save us." "This is the vic-

tory that

hath overcome

the world," is the reading of the

Revised Version, thus making the victory an accomplished

fact.

"The Lord Jesus is making experiments of human hearts

through the exhibition of His mercy and abundant grace.

He is effecting transformations so amazing that Satan, with

all his triumphant boasting, with all his confederacy of evil

united against God and the laws of His government, stands

viewing them as a fortress impregnable to his sophistries and

delusions. They are to him an incomprehensible mystery.

The angels of God, seraphim and cherubim, the powers com-

missioned to cooperate with human agencies, look on with

astonishment and joy that fallen men, once children of wrath,

are, through the training of Christ, developing characters

after the divine similitude, to be sons and daughters of God,

to act an important part in the pleasures and occupations of

heaven." Only in him who "believeth that Jesus is the Son

of God" can such a work as this be wrought.

3. Verser6.—Jesus came by water and by blood (John

19: 34). "In the shed blood we see the sacrificed life of

Christ, and in the water we see the Word and the Spirit of

Christ. In the blood we see the expiation made for sin, and

through the blood we get remission of sins. Then comes the

water to sanctify and to cleanse

us."—Rogers.

Blood and water are both used in the typical service (Lev.

14: 6, 8) as symbols of cleansing. So we are cleansed by the

blood (1 John 1: 7), and by water which is explained to be the

word (Eph. 5: 26, compare with John 15: 3).

LESSON XII.—Eternal Life. 1 John 5:7-15.

JUNE 23, 1906.

Questions.

The Witnesses. Verses 7-10.

1. How many bear witness in heaven ?

"There shall be delay no longer"—our confidence.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON

QUARTERLY.



2. What are they ?

3. How are they related to each other ?

4. How many others bear witness?

5. What are they ?

6. How are these related to each other?

7. How does the witness of God compare with that

of men ?

8. Concerning whom has God borne testimony ?

9. Who has this testimony in Himself ?

10. What does the unbeliever declare God to be?

11. In what way does he do this ?

II. Life in Christ. Verses 11-13.

12. What is this record or testimony ?

13. In whom is this life ?

14. Who has life?

15. 'Who has not life ?

16. To whom have these things been written ?

17. For what purpose ?

III. Effective Prayer. Verses 14, 15.

18. What confidence do believers have in God?

19. When God hears prayer, what is the result ?

Notes.

1. Verses

0%.--In ancient times two or three witnesses

were required (Dent. 19:15), and this custom is continued

by our Saviour's express command (Matt. 18: 16). The Spirit

witnesses to our sonship (Rom. 8: 16), as it speaks through

the Word (Acts 28: 25; 2 Peter 1: 21), which is represented

by the water (Eze. 36: 25; John 15: 3; Eph. 5: 26), of the

efficacy of the blood of Christ

(Heb. 9: 14). Those who bear

witness against Christ can not agree (Mark 14:55, 56), but

thele is always harmony in the truth. God can not lie (Titus

"One dollar now is of more value to the work than ten dollars

will be at some future period."



SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

1:2), even when He calls things that be not as if they were

(Rom. 4:17), because His word, when spoken, has power to

produce the thing or situation mentioned. "In His dealing

with sin God could employ only rightebusness and truth.

Satan could use what God could not—flattery and deceit."

The closing clause of the ninth verse is made clearer by the

Revised Version: "For the witness of God is this, that He

hath borne witness concerning His Son." God has borne

witness concerning His Son by audible voice (Matt. 3: 17;

17: 5) and by the works wrought through Him (John 10: 37,

38). It is a serious thing to charge God with being a liar;

but when He states a thing and we do not believe Him, that

is what we do, yet He remains the same (2 Tim. 2: 13).

Though all men deceive (Rom. 3:4), God does not (Num.

23:19).

Verse

14,12.—The Lord had given the land to the

Israelites (Josh. 1: 3) as soon as He had made provision for

its conquest by them, but not in their own strength (Ps. 44:3);

so all blessings (Eph. 1: 3), even eternal life, have been be-

stowed upon us, and it only remains for us to accept them

upon the stated conditions. "Prayer is the key in the hand

of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse." "There must be a

power working from within, a

new life

from above, before

we can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is

Christ." "But it is

the life of Jesus Christ

in the soul, it is

the active principle of love imparted by the Holy Spirit, that

alone will make the soul fruitful unto good works." "Before

works we must have eternal life; but when we are born again,

and made children of God by the word of grace, then we per-

form good works."—Luther.

Vefses43-14.—Those who believe "may know" these

things (Heb. 11: 1), not through faith in a creed, but by re-

ceiving Him (John 1: 12) who is the life (John 14: 6). It is

God's will that we should be saved from sin (Gal. 1: 4) ;

and be sanctified (1 Thess. 4: 3), not that we should perish

(Matt. 18: 14); and so we know that He hears the requests

of His children when they ask for these experiences. So the

Christian can wait patiently (Ps. 40: 1-3) for the Lord' to

work in His own way. "But to claim that prayer will always

be answered in the very way and for the particular thing

that we desire, is presumption." "We should be willing to

trust everything to the hand that was nailed to the cross for

us." "The prayer of the sincere heart offered in faith will be

heard in heaven. It may not be grammatical, but if the heart

The offerings for this quarter go to the most needy fields.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.



is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary, where Jesus ministers,

and He will present it to the Father, with the fragrant incense

of His own perfection, without our awkward, stammering

word, graceful and perfect through His merit, for His right-

eousness refines and ennobles it, and makes it acceptable be-

fore the Father. The Lord accepts the prayer of the sincere

heart, and will answer it out of His abundant fulness."

LESSON

xm.—Knowin

the True God.

1 John 5:16-21.

JUNE 30, 1906.

Questions.

I. Praying for Sinners. Verses 16, 17.

What instruction is given for the benefit of those

who sin not unto death ?

What is said concerning a sin that is unto death ?

How is righteousness defined ?,

What statement is made concerning a kind of sin ?

II. The Summing Up of the Christian's Knowledge.

Verses 18-21.

Who does not sin?

What is his experience?

What contrast is drawn between believers and the

world ?

What is known of the Son of God?

What has He given ?

10.

For what purpose ?

11.

In whom are the believers ?

12.

Who and what is He ?

13.

What closing admonition is given ?

Prayerfully consider the unentered fields.

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SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

Notes.

1. WiSusT

- 6

11t—It is evident from many scriptures that

the prayers of the righteous avail in behalf of the sinner who

has not entirely cut himself off from God (Job 42:7, 8), and

this intercession brings a blessing to him who prays (verse 10).

Thus a soul is saved from death (James 5: 20). Sin ends in

death (James 1: 15) unless repentance has been granted to

life (Acts 11: 18) ; but "it is the Holy Spirit that draws men

to Christ;" and so when this means of grace is refused, there

is no way by which the sinner may be reached. "There is

a terrible danger—a danger not sufficiently understood—in

delaying to yield to the pleading voice of God's Holy Spirit,

in choosing to live in sin; for such this delay really is."

"Every act of transgression, every neglect or rejection of the

gface of Christ, is reacting upon yourself; it is hardening

the heart, depraving the will, benumbing the understanding,

and not only making you less inclined to yield, but less ca-

pable of yielding, to the tender pleading of God's Holy Spirit."

There is a sin which is not pardoned (Matt. 12: 31, 32) here

or hereafter. "What constitutes the sin against the Holy

Ghost?—It is wilfully attributing to Satan the work of the

Holy Spirit. . . . It is through the medium of His Spirit

that God works upon the human heart; and when men wilfully

reject the Spirit, and declare it to be from Satan, they cut

off the channel by which God can communicate with them.

. . , Fora time persons who have committed this sin may

appear to he children of God; but when circumstances arise

to develop character, and show what manner of spirit they are

of, it will be found that they are on the enemy's ground,

standing under his black banner." The Lord is righteous

(Ps. 119:137), and His commandments are righteousness

(verse 172). Anything out of harmony with His character,

as expressed by His law, is unrighteousness or sin, but it is

by faith that our hearts are purified (Acts 15:9) and that we

attain to righteousness (Rom. 9:30-32) ; thus it is that

whatever is not done through faith in the merit of Christ is

sin (Rom. 14:23). Christ's petition (John 17:15) and the

statement of Scripture (2 Thess. 3:3) both show that it is

God who keeps us from "the evil one" (both texts are so

translated in the Revised Version), "but He can do nothing

for us without our cooperation." It is so arranged in the plan

of salvation that its great object can not be consummated

"One dollar now is of more value to the work than ten dollars

will be at some future period."

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY.

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without human cooperation. "All the power is of God, and

all the glory is to redound to God, and yet all the responsi-

bility rests with the human agent." Satan was permitted to

tempt Christ (Matt. 4:1), but according to the prophecy (Gen.

3:15) He did not touch any vital part. So with the Christian.

Angels will give strength to us (Heb. 1:14), "but the ministry

of angels will not insure us against sorrow and trial. Angels

ministered to Jesus; but their presence did not make His life

one of ease, nor free Him from conflict and temptation."

2.—Vurs

1•9q1. "The whole world lieth in

the evil one,"

says the Revised Version; but Christians have been delivered

(Col. 1:13).

The Christian experience set forth in this epistle is a very

positive one. Fifteen times occurs the statement "we know,"

or "know we," or "we have known," and by other expressions

it is clearly shown that positive knowledge concerning the

things of God is the privilege of the Christian (1 Cor. 2:12).

One does not need to bow down to a visible image in order to

be an idolater (Eph. 5:5). "It is as easy to make an idol of

false doctrines and theories as to fashion an idol of wood

or stone. By misrepresenting the attributes of God, Satan

leads men to conceive of him in a false character. With many,

a philosophical idea is enthroned in the place of Jehovah;

while the living God, as He is revealed in His work, in Christ,

and in the works of creation, is worshiped by but few. Thou-

sands deify nature, while they deny the God of nature. Though

in a different form, idolatry exists in the Christian world

to-day as verily as it existed among ancient Israel in the days

•

of Elijah. The god of many professedly wise men, of philoso-

phers, poets, politicians, journalists,—the god of polished,

fashionable circles, of many colleges and universities, even of '

some theological institutions,—is little better than Baal, the

sun-god of Phoenicia."

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